Fascia iliaca block

All fascia iliaca nerve blocks were performed pre-operatively in the PACU under close monitoring using ultrasound guidance with the patient in the supine position. The ultrasound transducer was oriented in the transverse plane, close to the femoral crease and lateral to the femoral artery. Needle entry was performed at the lateral third of the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine and pubic tubercle. Local anesthetic was injected slowly under ultrasound guidance with repeated aspirations, allowing it to spread medial to lateral under the fascia iliaca but superficial to the iliacus muscle in order to anesthetize the femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves. The local anesthetic used was 40 ml 0.375% ropivacaine with 4 mg of preservative-free dexamethasone.